Ohio’s Kasich calls for congressional redistricting changes

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Republican Gov. John Kasich (KAY’-sik) has called on state lawmakers to consider changing how Ohio draws its congressional districts, though GOP leaders are showing a tepid interest.

During his State of the State address Wednesday night, Kasich said gerrymandering needs to be in “the dustbin of history.”

Kasich praised a successful bipartisan effort to overhaul how Ohio draws its legislative boundaries to make them more competitive and fair. He urged lawmakers to consider similar reforms for congressional mapmaking.

Senate President Keith Faber (FAY’-bur) and House Speaker Cliff Rosenberger told reporters they were open to discussing changes, but the two GOP leaders say they are protective of the Legislature’s authority to approve the congressional boundaries.

House Democratic Leader Fred Strahorn (STRAY’-horn) said he was happy to hear Kasich’s call for changes.